Religion and Ethics Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sriram on January 09, 2022, 07:06:08 AM
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Hi everyone,
Here is an article about feeling 'awe' and its benefits...
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220103-awe-the-little-earthquake-that-could-free-your-mind
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Intentionally seeking the feeling of awe can improve memory, boost creativity and relieve anxious rumination.
Because most of us only experience awe sporadically, we remain unaware of its benefits. When we’re feeling down, we may be more likely to look for light relief in a comedy, for instance – seeking feelings of amusement that are not nearly so powerful. Yet generating awe can trigger a great mental shift, making it a potentially essential tool to improve our health and wellbeing. And there are many ways for us to cultivate the emotion in our daily lives.
Awe’s most transformative effects may concern the way we view ourselves. When we feel wonder at something truly incredible and grand, “we perceive ourselves as smaller and less significant in relation to the rest of the world”, says Shiota. One consequence of this is greater altruism. “When I am less focused on myself, on my own goals and needs and the thoughts in my head, I have more bandwidth to notice you and what you may be experiencing.”
Experiences of awe had a far greater impact on the students’ long-term wellbeing, compared to contentment, amusement, gratitude, joy and pride
the possibilities are as infinite as the universe. “Stars in the night sky remind us of the universe beyond our experience; the sound of the ocean reminds us of its enormous depths; vivid sunsets remind us how vast and thick the atmosphere surrounding our planet is,” she says. That’s not to mention the sublime experiences offered by music, film or art. “It's all about choosing to experience and attend to the extraordinary in our world, rather than that which is, for us, routine.”
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Cheers.
Sriram
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'Ain't it Awful' - one of the 'Games People Play' according to Transactional Analysis psychology. Most of the news these days seems to provide the food for it.